Patents by Inventor Sean TEEHAN

Sean TEEHAN has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20180090335
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor structure. The method includes forming a plurality of mandrel structures. A plurality of first spacers is formed on sidewalls of the mandrel structures. A plurality of second spacers is formed on sidewalls of the first spacers. The plurality of first spacers is removed selective to the plurality of second spacers and mandrel structures. A cut mask is formed over a first set of second spacers in the plurality of second spacers and a first set of mandrel structures in the plurality of mandrel structures. A second set of second spacers in the plurality of spacers and a second set of mandrel structures in the plurality of mandrel structures remain exposed. One of the second set of mandrel structures and the second set of second spacers is removed selective to the second set of second spacers and the second set of mandrel structures, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Gauri KARVE, Fee Li LIE, Eric R. MILLER, Stuart A. SIEG, John R. SPORRE, SEAN TEEHAN
  • Publication number: 20180083118
    Abstract: A method and structures are used to fabricate a nanosheet semiconductor device. Nanosheet fins including nanosheet stacks including alternating silicon (Si) layers and silicon germanium (SiGe) layers are formed on a substrate and etched to define a first end and a second end along a first axis between which each nanosheet fin extends parallel to every other nanosheet fin. The SiGe layers are undercut in the nanosheet stacks at the first end and the second end to form divots, and a dielectric is deposited in the divots. The SiGe layers between the Si layers are removed before forming source and drain regions of the nanosheet semiconductor device such that there are gaps between the Si layers of each nanosheet stack, and the dielectric anchors the Si layers. The gaps are filled with an oxide that is removed after removing the dummy gate and prior to forming the replacement gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, Kangguo Cheng, Fee Li Lie, Eric R. Miller, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Publication number: 20180076225
    Abstract: Sub-fin removal techniques for SOI like isolation in finFET devices are provided. In one aspect, a method for forming a finFET device includes: etching partial fins in a substrate, wherein the partial fins include top portions of fins of the finFET device; forming a bi-layer spacer on the top portions of the fins; complete etching of the fins in the substrate to form bottom portions of the fins of the finFET device; depositing an insulator between the fins; recessing the insulator enough to expose a region of the fins not covered by the bi-layer spacer; removing the exposed region of the fins to create a gap between the top and bottom portions of the fins; filling the gap with additional insulator. A method for forming a finFET device is also provided where placement of the fin spacer occurs after (rather than before) insulator deposition. A finFET device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, Kangguo Cheng, Gauri Karve, Fee Li Lie, Eric R. Miller, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Patent number: 9917196
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a fin structure comprising a cylindrical shape and including a recess formed in an upper surface of the fin structure, an inner gate formed inside the fin structure, an outer gate formed outside the fin structure, and a conductor formed in the recess and connecting the inner and outer gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc Adam Bergendahl, Gauri Karve, Fee Li Lie, Eric R. Miller, Robert Russell Robison, John Ryan Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Publication number: 20180069003
    Abstract: A method of forming a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device on a substrate, including forming a plurality of vertical fins on the substrate, forming a first set of source/drain projections on the first subset of vertical fins, forming a second set of source/drain projections on the second subset of vertical fins, where the second set of source/drain projections is a different oxidizable material from the oxidizable material of the first set of source/drain projections, converting a portion of each of the second set of source/drain projections and a portion of each of the first set of source/drain projections to an oxide, removing the converted oxide portion of the first set of source/drain projections to form a source/drain seed mandrel, and removing a portion of the converted oxide portion of the second set of source/drain projections to form a dummy post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Fee Li Lie, Eric R. Miller, Sean Teehan
  • Publication number: 20180069004
    Abstract: A method of forming a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device on a substrate, including forming a plurality of vertical fins on the substrate, forming a first set of source/drain projections on the first subset of vertical fins, forming a second set of source/drain projections on the second subset of vertical fins, where the second set of source/drain projections is a different oxidizable material from the oxidizable material of the first set of source/drain projections, converting a portion of each of the second set of source/drain projections and a portion of each of the first set of source/drain projections to an oxide, removing the converted oxide portion of the first set of source/drain projections to form a source/drain seed mandrel, and removing a portion of the converted oxide portion of the second set of source/drain projections to form a dummy post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Fee Li Lie, Eric R. Miller, Sean Teehan
  • Publication number: 20180061762
    Abstract: An interconnect structure and methods of forming the interconnect structure an interconnect dielectric including at least one contact landing within the interconnect dielectric and/or underlying the interconnect dielectric. The structure and methods include roughening an exposed surface of at least one contact landing to increase the surface area of a conductive metal subsequently disposed in a contact feature and in direct contact with the roughened surface of the least one contact landing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Sean Teehan, Alex J. Varghese
  • Publication number: 20180061946
    Abstract: A nano-sheet semiconductor structure and a method for fabricating the same. The nano-sheet structure includes a substrate and at least one alternating stack of semiconductor material layers and metal gate material layers. The nano-sheet semiconductor structure further comprises a source region and a drain region. A first plurality of epitaxially grown interconnects contacts the source region and the semiconductor layers in the alternating stack. A second plurality of epitaxially grown interconnects contacts the drain region and the semiconductor layers in the alternating stack. The method includes removing a portion of alternating semiconductor layers and metal gate material layers. A first plurality of interconnects is epitaxially grown between and in contact with the semiconductor layers and the source region. A second plurality of interconnects is epitaxially grown between and in contact with the semiconductor layers and the drain region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Marc A. BERGENDAHL, Kangguo CHENG, Eric R. MILLER, John R. SPORRE, Sean TEEHAN
  • Publication number: 20180061945
    Abstract: A nano-sheet semiconductor structure and a method for fabricating the same. The nano-sheet structure includes a substrate and at least one alternating stack of semiconductor material layers and metal gate material layers. The nano-sheet semiconductor structure further comprises a source region and a drain region. A first plurality of epitaxially grown interconnects contacts the source region and the semiconductor layers in the alternating stack. A second plurality of epitaxially grown interconnects contacts the drain region and the semiconductor layers in the alternating stack. The method includes removing a portion of alternating semiconductor layers and metal gate material layers. A first plurality of interconnects is epitaxially grown between and in contact with the semiconductor layers and the source region. A second plurality of interconnects is epitaxially grown between and in contact with the semiconductor layers and the drain region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Marc A. BERGENDAHL, Kangguo CHENG, Eric R. MILLER, John R. SPORRE, Sean TEEHAN
  • Publication number: 20180061992
    Abstract: A nano-sheet semiconductor structure and a method for fabricating the same. The nano-sheet structure includes a substrate and at least one alternating stack of semiconductor material layers and metal gate material layers. The nano-sheet semiconductor structure further comprises a source region and a drain region. A first plurality of epitaxially grown interconnects contacts the source region and the semiconductor layers in the alternating stack. A second plurality of epitaxially grown interconnects contacts the drain region and the semiconductor layers in the alternating stack. The method includes removing a portion of alternating semiconductor layers and metal gate material layers. A first plurality of interconnects is epitaxially grown between and in contact with the semiconductor layers and the source region. A second plurality of interconnects is epitaxially grown between and in contact with the semiconductor layers and the drain region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Marc A. BERGENDAHL, Kangguo CHENG, Eric R. MILLER, John R. SPORRE, Sean TEEHAN
  • Patent number: 9905643
    Abstract: A nano-sheet semiconductor structure and a method for fabricating the same. The nano-sheet structure includes a substrate and at least one alternating stack of semiconductor material layers and metal gate material layers. The nano-sheet semiconductor structure further comprises a source region and a drain region. A first plurality of epitaxially grown interconnects contacts the source region and the semiconductor layers in the alternating stack. A second plurality of epitaxially grown interconnects contacts the drain region and the semiconductor layers in the alternating stack. The method includes removing a portion of alternating semiconductor layers and metal gate material layers. A first plurality of interconnects is epitaxially grown between and in contact with the semiconductor layers and the source region. A second plurality of interconnects is epitaxially grown between and in contact with the semiconductor layers and the drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, Kangguo Cheng, Eric R. Miller, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Patent number: 9893166
    Abstract: Forming a dummy gate on a semiconductor device is disclosed. A first sacrificial layer is formed on a fin, and a second sacrificial layer is formed on the first sacrificial layer. A first hardmask layer is formed on the second sacrificial layer, and a second hardmask layer is formed on the first hardmask layer and patterned. The first hardmask layer is laterally recessed in a lateral direction under the second hardmask layer. The first and second sacrificial layers are etched to a corresponding width of the first hardmask layer. A spacer layer is formed on the fin, the first sacrificial layer, second sacrificial layer, the first hardmask layer and the second hardmask layer. The spacer layer is etched until it remains on a sidewall of the first sacrificial layer, the second sacrificial layer and the first hardmask layer, wherein the first and second sacrificial layers form the dummy gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, Kangguo Cheng, Fee Li Lie, Eric R. Miller, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Publication number: 20170373167
    Abstract: Techniques relate to a gate stack for a semiconductor device. A vertical fin is formed on a substrate. The vertical fin has an upper portion and a bottom portion. The upper portion of the vertical fin has a recessed portion on sides of the upper portion. A gate stack is formed in the recessed portion of the upper portion of the vertical fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, Kangguo Cheng, Fee Li Lie, Eric R. Miller, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Publication number: 20170373166
    Abstract: Techniques relate to a gate stack for a semiconductor device. A vertical fin is formed on a substrate. The vertical fin has an upper portion and a bottom portion. The upper portion of the vertical fin has a recessed portion on sides of the upper portion. A gate stack is formed in the recessed portion of the upper portion of the vertical fin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, Kangguo Cheng, Fee Li Lie, Eric R. Miller, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Publication number: 20170365525
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first semiconductor layer on a substrate having a {100} crystallographic surface orientation, forming a second semiconductor layer on the substrate, patterning the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer into a first plurality of fins and a second plurality of fins, respectively, wherein the first and second plurality of fins extend vertically with respect to the substrate, covering the first plurality of fins and a portion of the substrate corresponding to the first plurality of fins, and epitaxially growing semiconductor layers on exposed portions of the second plurality of fins and on exposed portions of the substrate, wherein the epitaxially grown semiconductor layers on the exposed portions of the second plurality of fins increase a critical dimension of each of the second plurality of fins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, Kangguo Cheng, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Patent number: 9842739
    Abstract: Sacrificial gate structures having an aspect ratio of greater than 5:1 are formed on a substrate. In some embodiments, each sacrificial gate structure straddles a portion of a semiconductor fin that is present on the substrate. An anchoring element is formed orthogonal to each sacrificial gate structure rendering the sacrificial gate structures mechanically stable. After formation of a planarization dielectric layer, each anchoring element can be removed and thereafter each sacrificial gate structure can be replaced with a functional gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Ryan O. Jung, Fee Li Lie, Jeffrey C. Shearer, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Publication number: 20170352657
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device that includes forming a trench adjacent to a gate structure to expose a contact surface of one of a source region and a drain region. A sacrificial spacer may be formed on a sidewall of the trench and on a sidewall of the gate structure. A metal contact may then be formed in the trench to at least one of the source region and the drain region. The metal contact has a base width that is less than an upper surface width of the metal contact. The sacrificial spacer may be removed, and a substantially conformal dielectric material layer can be formed on sidewalls of the metal contact and the gate structure. Portions of the conformally dielectric material layer contact one another at a pinch off region to form an air gap between the metal contact and the gate structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, Kangguo Cheng, Fee Li Lie, Eric R. Miller, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Publication number: 20170330754
    Abstract: Methods of forming semiconductor fins include forming first spacers on a first sidewall of each of a plurality of mandrels using an angled deposition process. A second sidewall of one or more of the plurality of mandrels is masked. Second spacers are formed on a second sidewall of all unmasked mandrels. The second sidewall of the one or more of the plurality of mandrels is unmasked. The mandrels are etched away. Fins are formed from a substrate using the first and second spacers as a mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, Kangguo Cheng, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Publication number: 20170330755
    Abstract: Methods of forming semiconductor fins include forming first spacers on a first sidewall of each of a plurality of mandrels using an angled deposition process. A second sidewall of one or more of the plurality of mandrels is masked. Second spacers are formed on a second sidewall of all unmasked mandrels. The second sidewall of the one or more of the plurality of mandrels is unmasked. The mandrels are etched away. Fins are formed from a substrate using the first and second spacers as a mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, Kangguo Cheng, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan
  • Publication number: 20170330753
    Abstract: Methods of forming semiconductor fins include forming first spacers on a first sidewall of each of a plurality of mandrels using an angled deposition process. A second sidewall of one or more of the plurality of mandrels is masked. Second spacers are formed on a second sidewall of all unmasked mandrels. The second sidewall of the one or more of the plurality of mandrels is unmasked. The mandrels are etched away. Fins are formed from a substrate using the first and second spacers as a mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Marc A. Bergendahl, Kangguo Cheng, John R. Sporre, Sean Teehan